Yogurt Drinks and Smoothies for a Cool Summer Swansea

Yogurt has been used for centuries and is one of the very best health foods still today. It is very good for our digestive systems as the cultures have a good effect on our intestinal bacteria, promoting the growth of "good" bacteria and inhibiting the growth of "bad" ones.

Yogurt Drinks and Smoothies for a Cool Summer

You can use any yogurt but of course "live" yogurt (or yoghurt) is best.

What is live yogurt?

Yogurt made with live cultures which are still live when you buy it and still live when you eat it!

Live yogurt is sometimes called Bulgarian yogurt. The culture used is acidophillus.

Yogurt has been used for centuries and is one of the very best health foods still today. It is very good for our digestive systems as the cultures have a good effect on our intestinal bacteria, promoting the growth of "good" bacteria and inhibiting the growth of "bad" ones.

If you want to be absolutely sure that the yogurt you are eating is "live", look carefully at the label - it should say.

Picture above: fresh yogurt and grapefruit zester

Yogurt drinks:

Yoghurt and orange zester (smoothie)

I actually hate the name smoothie - it sounds a bit dodgy, somehow! I prefer to call it a "zester" as it more describes the effect.

For one person, take two tablespoons of fresh organic yoghurt and put them into a glass jug or similar.

Squeeze the juice from at least one orange - two is better - and whisk into the yoghurt.

Add a good dollop of wildflower honey, preferably one with a light taste so as not to overwhelm the fruit juice.

Whisk again and drink immediately while it is still fizzing and bubbling.

This is the most energizing drink I know.

If you use pure, organic ingredients where possible this is a great health drink at any time of the year. I don't believe any commercial drink can match it because it positively fizzes with fresh vitamins and enzymes.

Not one to put into the fridge or freezer - if you can, mix it fresh every time. If you don't have an electric whisk or blender, an ordinary hand-held whisk works just fine.

This zester works great as a pick-me-up, or just as a cooling summer drink.

Elderberry and peach yogurt zester

Yogurt drinks: You can make endless variations on the above orange zester recipe.

For example, elderberry cordial or syrup can be mixed with yogurt and then topped up with another fruit juice, such as apple or peach to make a more liquid drink. If you are lucky enough to have fresh dessert apples and an apple press or juicer, so much the better.

For this version, you don't really need the honey... shame really!

Lassi - the ultimate cooler

Yogurt drinks: When the temperature climbs, try this traditional Indian drink. Lassi is made from just yogurt and water with a little salt.

Sounds unpromising, doesn't it?

Whisk together a couple of tablespoons of good quality live yogurt and about half a pint of water. Add salt to taste and a couple of cubes of ice.

Brilliant! This is a real cooler on a hot day.

Ok, some people just don't get it...maybe it sounds a bit too puritanical. If you don't think it's go...

Homemade muesli really is a breeze to make. Experiment with different mixes and you will soon learn which cereals you like best. For a subtle taste it's good to include a high proportion of oats. Read on and get more information.